Rivalry isn't really the word - not that the battle on the pitch at Kingsholm tonight will be anything less than ferocious.

It's the extra skip in the step among fans, the extra little bit of excitement that any meeting between the two clubs brings after numerous classic encounters. And it's the shared outlook among two sets of fans absolutely renowned the world over for their passion, fun and perhaps a little bit of self-deprecation.

What other fixture can you imagine selling out every hotel room in Gloucester weeks in advance? For what other team would the city deck itself in special flags and arrange a raft of special offers?

Flags in King's Square for today's game

And as for the pubs and bars - well it's fair to say a few extra staff might be needed.

Hotels across the city are fully booked - and have been for some time - and any fans making last-minute travels to the city won’t get a room for the night. They are likely, however, to be offered a sofa or a spare room, such is the affection between the supporters.

Kieran Bates helps manage and run four of Gloucester's city centre pubs - The Fountain, Cafe Rene, The Bell and The Coach and Horses.

They have changed their rotas this weekend to get more staff on, and have ordered extra beer, Guinness and cider.

He said: "It was a massive weekend when they last came four years ago, it was massive in 2004 and I've not heard anything to the contrary about this weekend.

"The pubs were all busy last night, I think a lot of people were doing a recce ahead of tonight, and Marketing Gloucester have done deals for Munster fans on the GL Card which are going really well."

Kieran has even got the Munster Rugby Supporters Club Choir commissioned for a performance at the Fountain on Saturday and expects his weekend to be busy.

"We've got extra stock in, and contrary to what a lot of people believe, Irish people don't just drink Guinness so there's extra beer and cider too," he said.

Fergal O'Brien and Simon Devereux, pictured near the trainer's gallops, support rival teams

Fans from across the republic’s south west also taken over the New Inn in Northgate Street, a hotel and pub which had to close for most of last year due to a fire which ripped through the medieval building.

A spokesman for the hotel said had been trying to find accommodation for those who hadn’t reserved a room.

“Everywhere’s fully booked. One chap came without a reservation. We tried calling the Station Hotel for them and it was fully booked,” they said.

“The fans have already descended upon me for breaksfast. They’ve been wonderful. It’s all been good-humoured.

“When it’s rugby it tends to be friendly.”

Meanwhile red flags are up across the city welcoming fans heading to Kingsholm tonight.

And Gloucester business improvement district (BID) has put on a range of offers for fans looking to make the most of a long weekend.

You can see what special offers have been arranged in the Facebook post below:

The Gloucester-Munster rivalry is a fan favourite for both sides.

While not a regular encounter, it has seen a number of meetings over the years and visiting fans from both sides have enjoyed a warm hospitality in both Gloucester and in Limerick for either leg.